Our Frugal First Lady...

It's no secret that our current First Lady, Michelle Obama is beyond fond of designers like Alexander McQueen and Jason Wu, but did you know that she has been seen shopping for chic and cheap clothing at the Target store located near the White House?  It's true! Mrs. Obama was incognito with her floral print top, b-ball cap and shades as she browsed the popular chain.  On many occasion she has been seen wearing apparel from Target which we all know comes at a reasonably low cost.  She's also been out and about in J. Crew and The Gap line and makes no excuses for the fact that she also loves shopping at Walmart.  Given the status quo of being the wife of the President Of The United States, I don't ever recall a more 'frugal' First Lady...

pics: lovelyish.com

MOD Monday - Jackie Kennedy

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was the wife of our 35th President, JFK.   Born in New York, she went on to serve as 'First Lady' from 1961 until Kennedy's assassination in 1963.  Being frequent in the public eye, she always maintained an air of style and grace with her personal fashion choices.  The infamous double breasted, strawberry pink with navy trim, Chanel wool skirt suit she wore on November 22nd 1963, quickly pushed her to fashion icon for the 60's status and became a symbol of the era that everyone remembers her for.

Current First Lady, Michelle Obama is obviously fond of her predecessors vintage style as she was a sure fire fashion doppelganger in the Maria Pinto, pink tweed suit that absolutely channeled Jackie O's signature 60's design.

The late Princess Diana, was even on board with this style as Gianni Versace designed for her, his version of Kennedy's two piece pink suit.

As recent as 2008, the Jackie Kennedy inspired look continues to inspire designers as Princess Maxima of the Netherlands was seen wearing this timeless style...

Since the 60's there have been many variations and alterations to the original cut of this popular suit however, there will always only be the 'one' worn by Jackie.  It has been said that at the request of her daughter the dress not be displayed and understandably so with all due respect to the dismal history behind the garment...  


pics: flickr.com, refugeesunleashed.net, suite101.com, buzznet.com, thesweet7.com

Spotlight Saturday - Betty Ford

The wife of former United States President Gerald Ford, Betty Ford, passed away this week, she was 93.  Mrs. Ford reigned as 'First Lady' from 1974 to 1977.  Known for her outspoken candor, she was a strong advocate for women's rights, equal rights and the pro-choice movement, in spite of being a member of the Republican Party.  She was a front runner of the evolution of fashions amongst first ladies making ranks by following in the footsteps of Jackie O'.  After Gerald Ford's term in office was over, she returned to her hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she became fashion coordinator for Herpolsheimer's which was a popular department store.  Since there weren't any Inaugural Ball's at the time when Gerald Ford was President, the 1st Lady gown hanging in the Smithsonian Museum to represent Betty Ford was the one she wore to the State Dinner with the Shah of Iran in 1975.  She chose her favorite color, pale green & it was a sequined chiffon gown with an embroidered floral pattern.  I personally love the mandarin collar design accentuated with the deep v neckline.  In the spotlight today because she was definitely a modern day fashion conscious first lady...

cookcountyclerk.com  , journalistar.wordpress.com

Michelle Obama...First Lady of Fashion

First Lady Michelle Obama has definitely made her mark as a fashionista in the same ranks as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis did when JFK was President of The United States back in the 60's. Although she wears a variety of designer pieces she has a soft spot for Jason Wu the Manhattan based Taiwaneese American fashion designer who created the one-shouldered silk chiffon gown she chose to wear at the Presidential Inaugural Ball on January 20th 2009.

It's been said that out of all the presidential wives, Michelle most resembles the late Mrs. Kennedy in her overall demeanor of grace and poise alongside her fashion choices which mimmick the vintage styles of that era.  For many reasons other than their choice of fashion, the Obama's have been cited as being 'the contemporary version of camelot'...

Fashion journalist Kate Betts, contributing editor to Time magazine and a former editor-in-chief at Harper's Bazaar recently wrote a book titled 'Everyday Icon, Michelle Obama and the Power of Style' which explores not only Mrs. Obama's, but the style history of previous first wives from decades ago. 

Her passion has been consistent throughout this presidential term as she was seen wearing a 1950's Norman Norell vintage black lace cocktail dress on the TNT 'Christmas in Washington' special that aired December 17th 2010.  

I just recently found out that Obama was slammed by a public figure in the media for wearing too much yellow but since it wasn't Joan Rivers fashion police, does anyone really care? ha!  It's a given that everyone is going to have their own opinions good or bad, but I absolutely admire her for her exquisite vintage fashion taste.


As Ricky Nelson's song goes..."You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself" 


: hellobeautiful.com , thesweet7.com , flavorwire.com , www1.essence.com , evilmonito.com